Receptacle for liquids



June 22, 1937. R. JOHN RECEPTACLEFOR LIQUIDS 2 Shees-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 10, 1936 WINVENTOR;

June 22, 1937. R. JOHN RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1936 VENTO J I Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUIDS Robert John, New York, N. Y. Application September 10, 1936, Serial No. 100,097

18 Claims. (Cl. 221-23) This invention relates generally to receptacles for various kinds of liquids and, specifically to such receptacles as those commonly used in dispensing motor lubricating oils, and to novel '5 means and processes for closing, opening and emptying receptacles for liquids.

By way of clarifying the objects of the invention, attention is called to the fact that motor oil receptacles of the current art, in quart sizes n or larger, frequently comprise a. tubular, seamed, body of tin plate, terne plate or lacquered steel,

and usually have solid metallic ends permanently affixed to the top and the bottom of the body.

Such cans are filled and sealed at the refinery and the retail dispenser of their contents is provided with means for puncturing the top of each can.

It is obviously a part of the system to=destroy the can at the time of dispensing, so that the 20 motorist who is served may be certain that the oil in the can is genuine and not a substitute, and

that it was actually packed and sealed at the refinery.

This procedure, while possessing the,advan- 2 tage of deterring fraud, has several offsetting disadvantages, viz: (1) the cost is generally higher than that of bulk distribution; (2) the can which might otherwise be used again and again is destroyed after a single use; (3) two or three per 30 cent., and upward, of the oil in the can clings to the side walls thereof after dispensing and is wasted; (4) disposal of empty cans entails expense upon the distributor who must pay for carting them to the dumps.

35 The objects of the present invention are: (1) to provide a novel type of motor oil receptacle which may be used again and again but which will as effectively prevent substitution as the present single-use can; (2) to bring the cost of 40 anti-substitution dispensing below that now involved in bulk distribution; (3) to save and'turn to profitable account the oil clinging to the side walls of dispensed cans; and (4) to shift the disposal problem from the distributor to the refiner and at the same time to reduce the disposal problem to a minimum.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention which will be obvious to those familiar with the art, are attained by means illustrated in the accompanying dramngs, in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views, as follows:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the body of my novelreceptacle'; sidewall I of the body may be formed from any kind of sheet metal, soldered or seamed together to make a liquid-tight tube, or it may comprise a section of drawn, seamless tubing, the upper and lower extremities of which side wall are flanged outwardly as shown at 2 5 whereby to provide means for double seaming metallic tops and bottoms thereto in liquid-tight relationship, in accordance with conventional practice. 3 is an internal protuberance, perforated at 4, adapted to receive an internal sealing member, while 5 is an external protuberance, perforated at 6, adapted to receive an external sealing member. 1 is the general contour of the bottom of the receptacle, while 8 is the general contour of the top of a like receptacle, illustrating how one receptacle may be stacked on top of another in storage and shipment. It is to be observed, for reasons later to be explained, that perforation 6 is larger than perforation 4.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of my novel friction-fit internal sealing member before afiixation, in which 9 is a malleable metallic shell of, say. one one-hundredth of one inch in thickness, provided with a perforation, ill, which perforation may be circular or polygonal, while II is an imperforate metallic foil of, say, live onethousandths of one inch in thickness. In'the drawings foil l I is shown as unattached to metallic shell 9 being merely held in place by frictional relationship. I perfer to attach the foil to the metal which I accomplish by coating the foil with a thermoplastic liquidproof material and bringing the coated surface of the foil into contact with the metalunder heat and gentle pressure. A suitable coating material for this purpose comprises a solution of polyvinyl acetate thirty per cent. in acetone; after the solvents have evaporated it is found that adhesion between the ,coated foil and the metal may be effected at a 40 temperature of approximately 150 F.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of Figure 2 after having been forced into friction-tight relationship with perforated protuberance 3.

Figure 4 is a vertical section of my novel ex- 5 ternal sealing member in which I2 is a malleable metallic shell, provided with a perforation, l3, and comprising an imperforate sheet of rubber, M, of, say, one thirty-second of an inch in thickness, and an imperforate sheet of metallic foil, [5, of, say, five one-thousandths of an inch in thickness. In the drawings rubber sheeting l4 -is shown as being unadhered to metallic foil I 5.

I prefer to unite these members. into a single element. I accomplish this result by spreading on aluminum foilan extremely thin coating of thirty percent. chlorinated rubber dispersed in benzol. After some of the benzol has evaporated and while the coating is in a tacky condition I bring the coated side of the foil into pressure contact with the rubber sheeting whereby instantaneous and permanent adhesion is effected. I believe that the chlorine compounds present in the rubber react with the surface of the aluminum whereby to provide an anchorage forthe coating, while the residual benzol of the coating serves to enhance adherence to the rubber. The quantity of chlorinated rubber which Lemploy for this purpose is approximately three tenths of one pound per thousand square feet of foil.

Figure 5 is vertical section of Figure 4 after having been crimped into oil-tight relationship with perforated protuberance 5.

Figure 6 is a general vertical sectional view of the receptacle, showing means for aihxing internal sealing member, Figure 2, to perforated protuberance 3; in which it is a chuck adapted to hold said sealing member in light frictional rela- 'tionship whereafter it may be inserted through external perforated protuberance 5 and forced downwardly into frictional oil-tight relationship with internal perforated protuberance ii; as explained at Figure l, perforation 6 has been left 9 suficiently larger than internal sealing member, Figure 2, to permit of passing said sealing member therethrough. After aifixation, chuck g6 inay be withdrawn upwardly from the recepac e;

Figure '7 is a vertical section of an alternate sealing member which may be used in place of Figure 2 without changing the functions thereof. ii is an imperforate metallic shell, being, say, one one-hundredth of an inch in thickness, and provided with an inverted cone, 5%, said cone, by reason of the conventional drawing operation by which it is formed, being thinner at its point than other portions of ii; whereby, and by rea son of its contour, said cone presents an area more readily puncturable than other areas of shell li.- Figure 7, thus eliminates the need for metallic foil ii, required in the structure shown at Figure 2.

Figure 8 illustrates means for amxing external sealing member, Figure 4, to perforated external protuberance 5, both being shown in vertical section; i9 is a vertical section of a chuck head for exerting downward pressure on external sealing member, Figure 4, while the entire receptacle is being rotated. 20 is a horizontal section of a crimping tool adapted by the exertion of lateral pressure to deform the side walls of external sealing member, Figure 4, into friction-tight relation- 1 ship with 5.

Figure 9 is a vertical section of my novel meportion, 2|, which serves as a pouring spout, a central spike, 22, provided with a sharp cutting end, 23, said spike being permanently mounted within the funnel by means of three point supe to hold open resilient materials punctured by sharp cutting end 23. Figure 9 likewise illustrates the position of the receptacle within the funnel while its contents are being dispensed.

Figure 10 shows knockout pin 26 which is provided with sharp point 2'! and shoulder 28. Figure 10 also illustrates the means by-which sealing members, Figure 3 and Figure 5, may be removed from the receptacle at a single operation as by tallic'dispensing funnel comprising a narrowed port 26, and possessing spreaders 25, which serve" placing the receptacle on knockout pin 26 and exerting downward pressure. It is to be observed that perforation ill of sealing member, Figure 2,

permits the entry of point 21, but that shoulder 28 engages a solid metallic portion of shell 9 and that the solid metal of 9, being larger than perfoation I3, engages the solid metal of shell l2.

By way of explaining the process by which my novel receptacle and its novel associated articles of manufacture are utilized in packaging and dispensing lubricating oils, I point out:

The oil refiner provides himself with bodies, Figure 1, internal bottom sealing members, Figure 2, and external top sealing members, Figure 4.

As illustrated at Figure 6, he forces bottom seal- 'i member, Figure 2, into oil-tight relationship wit h internal protuberance 3. He next/fills the receptacle with lubricating oil toa desired height through aperture 6, in perforated protuberance 5, as shownatFigure 1, after which he aflixes external sealinginember, Figure 4, in oil-tight relationship with protuberance 5; as shown at Figure 8.

Such oil filled receptacles may then be sent to a retail distributor who may dispense their contents by means illustrated at Figure 9; in order to do this it is necessary to push the inverted receptacle to its lowest point within my novel funnel, Figure 9, so as to puncture both sealing members whereby to provide an air vent at 3 and to hold open resilient rubber membrane id, thus permitting the oil to flow. When the proper time for drainage has been allowed the distributor may withdraw the receptacle upwardly out of the funnel "and replace the dispensed receptacle in the shipping container in which it was received.

The general contour of the receptacle insures that it will be placed in the container bottom downward, in which position oil clinging to the side walls of the receptacle will collect in a pool in the \l-shapedhollow 2Q, shownat Figure 10.

soon as the receptacle has been withdrawn from the funnel, the punctured rubber membrane l4. springs back into its original position, and,-

while no longer oil-tight, serves to protect the remaining contents of the receptacle from contamination by dust; the receptacle, being punctured at both top and bottom, is incapable of being refilled with oil and is irreparable by ordinary means. When the distributor has accumulated a container full of dispensed receptacles, he returns them to the refiner who knocks out the punctured sealing. members and refills and reseals as previously explained.

In the folegoing embodiment of my invention, chosen for the purpose of illustration, I have described a receptacle the body of which is fashioned of metal. For many purposes this represents the preferred structure in view of the relative cheapness, light weight and long wearing qualities of metallic bodies. In some cases, however, it may be desired to use atransparent material; to accomplish this result, the body, shown means, of glass, or of a cellulose ester or of a cellulose ether, or of other thermoplastic material; or to meet this or other requirements, the body, shown at Figure 1, may be formed, by con; ventional means, of a synthetic resin or of potters clay, or of other thermosetting material; .or, the body, shown at Figure 1, may be formed of any desired material capable of storing a liquid. Likewise I have, by way of illustration, shown my'perforable sealing members positioned on the aoeacva ends of my receptacle, whereas, for some pur-.

poses they may be advantageously located on the side walls thereof; and, whereas in the draw- M, sandwiched between two metallic 'mem-- brances, as I or one or more metallic membranes associated with a membrane of compressible paper or cork; also in place of metallic membrances, 'cellulosic and like sheetings may sometimes be advantageously used; also in place of friction-fit closing members as illustrated at Figure 2 and Figure 4, the entire puncturable membrance structure may consist of celluloslc material cementitiously aifixed to proturberances 3 and 5 without the need of metallic shells 9 and I2.

Many substitutions of materials and many variations in structural contour will be obvious to those skilled in the art and may be employed without exceeding the scope of my invention as described in the foregoing teachings and in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls affixed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of said receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture of sufllcient size to admit saidsealing means therethrough whereby said sealing means can be attached from the interior of the receptacle, said second aperture being closed by a sealing means attached exteriorly of the receptacle.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the end is of conical formation and projects interiorly of the receptacle to provide a trough for accummulating drainings and in which the frangible sealing element closes the aperture provided by'the smallest part of said conical element.

3. The receptacle structure defined in claim 1 in which the external sealing member comprises an imperforate metallic shell provided with a protuberance having an area more readily puncturable than surroundingareas of said shell and being adapted to guide a puncturing tool.

4. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls ailixed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of 'said receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture of suflicient size to admit said sealing means therethrough whereby said sealing .means can be attached from the interior of the ,receptacle, said second aperture being closed by a sealing means attached, exteriorly of the receptacle, one of said end walls being of conical formation and extending into the receptacle whereby to form a trough.

5. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls aflixed to 7 each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly-of said receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture of suflicient size to admit said sealing means therethrough whereby said sealing means can be attached from the interior of the receptacle, said second aperture being closed by a sealing means attached exteriorly of the receptacle, said frangible sealing means being provided with a resilient member.

6. A rece tacle for'liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls afllxed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of said receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture of suflicient size to admit said sealing means therethrough whereby said sealing means can be attached from the intericr of the receptacle, said second aperture being closed by a frangible sealing means.

7. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls affixed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of said receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture of suflicient size to admit said sealing means therethrough whereby said sealing means can be attached from the interior of the receptacle, said second aperture being closed by a sealing means attached from the exterior of the receptacle, said frangible sealing means comprising flexible metallic foil adhered to rubber sheeting.

8. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls ailixed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of said receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture of sufficient size to admit said sealing means therethrough whereby said sealing means can be attached from the interior of the receptacle, said second aperturebeing closed by a frangible sealing means, said last-named frangible sealing means comprising an imperforate metallic foil adhered to a perforated metallic support.

9. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end'walls aflixed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture closed by a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of the receptacle and removable only from the interior thereof, said receptacle having a second aperture of sufficient size to admit ,and remove said sealing means therethrough whereby saidsealing means can be attached and removed from the interior of said receptacle, said second aperture being closed by a sealing means attached from the exterior of the receptacle.

10. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising enclosing walls secured in stationary relationship with respect to each other, said receptacle having an aperture therein, a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of the receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture, in alignment with the first aperture, and sealing means for closing the same, said sealing means being attached exteriorly of the receptacle.

11. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls aflixed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture provided with a closure secured interiorly thereof and removable only from the interior thereof, the other end wall having a second aperture, in alignment with said first aperture, and provided with a separate clo sure secured only from the exterior of said re ceptacle, whereby said receptacle may be filled '75 after the attachment of the first of said closures.

and subsequently sealed by the said second closure, from the exterior of the receptacle.

12. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising side and end walls afflxed to each other in stationary relationship, one of said walls having an aperture provided with a closure secured interiorly only of said receptacle and another of said walls being provided with a second aperture of a size sumcient to admit said closure and'in alignment with the first aperture, a separate closure secured only exteriorly of said receptacle, whereby said receptacle may be filled after the attachment of the first of said closures and subsequently sealed by the attachment of the second closure from the exterior of the receptacle.

13. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising body and top and bottom end members aiixed thereto in stationary relationship therewith, separate closures for the top and bottom of said receptacle, in alignment with each other, said closures being of readily puncturable material, one of said separate closures being afiixed internally of the receptacle and removable only internally therefrom and the other of said separate closures'being aflixed externally of said receptacle and removable only externally therefrom. 1

tionship therewith, one of said members being provided with an internal perforated protuberance sealed by an imperforate internal sealing member, said sealing member being aflixable and removable only from within said receptacle, and

an external perforated protuberance adapted to receive an external sealing member in liquid tightv relationship therewith and being afiixable and 40 removable only externally of said'receptacle.

15. The receptacle structure defined in claim 1 in which the internal sealing member comprises an imperforate metallic shell provided with a protuberance having an area more readily puncturable than surrounding areas of said shell and being adapted to guide a puncturing tool.

16. A receptacle for liquids and otherpourable materials comprising enclosing wallssecured in. stationary relationship with respect to each other, said receptacle having an aperture therein, a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of the receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture in alignment with the first aperture, and sealing means for closing the same, said sealing means being attached exteriorly of the receptacle,

' one of said sealing means being so mounted and attached as to comprise an elevated structure within said receptacle whereby to provide. .a trough for accumulating drainings within said receptacle. 7

1'7. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising enclosing walls secured in stationary relationship with respect to each other, said receptacle having an aperture therein, a frangible sealing means secured interiorly of the receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture, in alignment with the first aperture, and sealing means for closing the same, said sealing means being attached exteriorly of the receptacle, each of aforesaid sealing means comprising a weakened section.

18. A receptacle for liquids and other pourable materials comprising enclosing walls secured in stationary relationship with respect to each other, said receptacle having an aperture therein, a sealing means secured interiorly of the receptacle, said receptacle having a second aperture in alignment with the first aperture, and sealing means for closing the same, said sealing means being attached exteriorly of the receptacle.

ROBERT JOHN; 

